Former Tough Enough winner Matt Cappotelli passes away due to brain cancer at age 38

Former Tough Enough Season 3 winner and OVW star Matt Cappotelli has passed away on Friday at the age of 38 after a second battle with brain cancer, per reports from the local media in Louisville, Cappotelli’s hometown.

We mentioned last month that Cappotelli’s wife, Lindsay, wrote a blog post announcing that her husband would no longer be undergoing treatment for this second battle with brain cancer as it was deemed inoperable and that there was nothing more doctors could do for Cappotelli.

“Hey Team Capp…I’ve been struggling with what to say and how to say this, and I’ll probably end up rambling, but here goes. Today my love-my strong, sweet, beautiful love-took his last breath at 3:30 a.m. and went Home to be with Jesus…exactly one year after his brain surgery. You think you can be prepared for this when you know it’s coming, but you just can’t. The only person who’s comfort I want right now is the one who can’t give it to me. I miss him so much. I know where he is now is so much better, but it doesn’t change how much I miss him.”

Cappotelli won the third season of WWE Tough Enough in 2002 alongside John Hennigan (Morrison/Mundo/Impact/Nitro) and wrestled until 2006, when he was first diagnosed with brain cancer, forcing him to retire from the ring. Cappotelli went into remission in 2009 before the brain cancer returned last year.

My first best friend in the wrestling business and to this day one of the best people I’ve ever known Matt Cappotelli has passed on. I’m gutted about this news. Matt inspired everyone around him especially me early in my career. He is loved and will be missed.